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Hatfield House
Hatfield House
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
About
The Park, Gardens & Woodland Walks are open each Wednesday to Sunday from 1st April 2023. The East Garden is only open on Wednesdays. Hatfield House itself is now closed for the season.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- Kerry T1 contributionHighly RecommendA beautiful property, with so much to see. Dermot our amazing tour guide, really made the building and history come to life with his stories and passion. Will certainly return with the family. Highly recommended.Visited March 2023Traveled on businessWritten March 24, 2023
- Kom138 contributionsBeautiful place !Great place to spend a full day ! The house is full of heritage and history. Really wonderful. There are now nice shops Cafe etc at the entrance , the gardens are mesmerising! Plenty of space for the kids to ply and love it ! We were lucky to visit while there was a drive in kids movie ! Fantastic arrangement with a bus bar parked , fast food , coffees lovely atmosphere , highly recommendingVisited March 2023Traveled with familyWritten March 26, 2023
- Charlotte R1 contributionLovely day outWe had a fab day out here exploring the grounds and gardens. All of the staff are so lovely and helpful and a special shout out to Dermot - his passion and enthusiasm for the house and grounds is so lovely to see and has some really interesting stories about the house to share. Would love to come back once the house is open again.Visited April 2023Written April 2, 2023
- Jo C7 contributionsOne of my favourite placesHad a wonderful visit to the gardens today after they opened up again for the new season. We were welcomed by Dermot and it was lovely to see his friendly face again. I have purchased a garden season ticket this year. Looking forward to many more visits.Visited April 2023Traveled with familyWritten April 2, 2023
- Emma R1 contributionHorrible Histories TourMy 10 year old and I experienced a Horrible History experience with tour guide Dermot who was excellent. I learnt about local history through his captivating and amusing storytelling and my daughter was transfixed. I highly recommend this activity. The only way this visit could have been improved would be for the children's playground to be re-opened!Visited March 2023Written April 10, 2023
- Grete C1 contributionA great experience at HatfieldWe enjoyed the whole hatfield garden experience and especially the old palace tour. The tour was excellent because of the guide in particular. He took us on a historical journey with knowledge and engagement. We strongly reccomend Hatfield to everyone.Visited April 2023Written April 11, 2023
- LennieMilton Keynes, United Kingdom59 contributionsUnique history of Old Palace, great tour and beautiful gardensMain house closed until June, but great tours of Old Palace and gardens. The Old Palace tour was by Liam, he explained the life and wives of Henry VIII and the unique history of the Old Palace as an education centre for royalty, then as a neglected stables. Lots of amazing facts but delivered with humour that really held everyone's attention. Thank you so much Liam, we really enjoyed the tour.Visited April 2023Written April 18, 2023
- Dunstan45United Kingdom52 contributionsA Splendid step back in Hatfield History.What an amazing place, we arrived mid-morning on a really nice day there is a charge for entry to the grounds which in my opinion is well worth the money. We also decided to go on a guided tour of Hatfield old Palace ( Former residence of Queen Elizabeth I)which was led by Dermot who has an amazing personality and passion for the Hatfield Estate and Elizabeth I it is here that Queen Elizabeth and William Cecil shaped the Country in 1558. This is a place you should visit with its splendid views an dripping in some of England's most important Historical decisions were made. Thanks to all the staff and volunteers and not forgetting the current Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury for the upkeep of such an important landmark.Visited April 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten April 30, 2023
- beaufortrotterdamBrussels, Belgium4 contributionsGuide Liam is the best!Ask Liam for a tour! Today he was our guide in the Old Palace and his tour was very good!! The timing was perfect, his enthusiasm great and his explanation clear. We just learned a lot. Liam is a real professional!!Visited May 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten May 3, 2023
- Laura D2 contributionsMaking wonderful memoriesWe visited today, had lunch, walked around the woodland area and did the old palace tour, Jill was brilliant, very knowledgeable. To finish the lovely Neil drove us around in the buggy to the front of the house. Neil had so much time for us, answering our questions and is a true gentleman. Thank you Neil! We will be back again, but next time ensure we come earlier to walk amongst the grounds and also visit the house when it opens in June!Visited May 2023Traveled with friendsWritten May 4, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,550 reviews
Excellent
921
Very good
338
Average
143
Poor
62
Terrible
86
Anita S
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Family
Just been to breakfast at Hatfield House restaurant for a treat for Mother’s Day. We are members of friends of Hatfield House and have been for sometime. Today we had booked to have a family Mother’s Day breakfast (booked many weeks in advance) and which we have had in previous years. Was not very impressed today though! To be told on arrival that the table is required back after 1hr and 45 minutes is not very customer friendly, especially as the occasion is not just an ordinary day, and if you have family members coming from further afield this is not good enough.
Written March 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leah H
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Family
Took the kids to Hatfield house for the half term experience. Absolutely fantastic and have bought a membership now. Beautiful long walk and made bird feeders. Then took the truck ride and a lovely man named Dermot was explaining some of the history of the area. Showed us where Paddington was filmed and was generally very lovely! Can’t wait to go loads through the season.
Written February 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D H P
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Family
A lovely time at their half term activities. Great outdoor crafts for the children, an amazing tour with our fantastic tour guide Dermot, and a lovely lunch in Coach House Kitchen. Will be coming back when the house and gardens open in the spring!
Written February 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
es h
Cuffley, UK7 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
I visited Hatfield house with my two young children and our friends during February half term. We had a lovely time, we were taken by vehicle to the marquee on the stunning grounds where the children got to make bird feeders and bug hotels. We were given lots of information about the grounds by the lovely staff one in particular Dermott who was very friendly and knowledgeable to say the least. We then took a short walk to the castle and did some bird watching , once finished we were collected by vehicle and taken on a tour around the stunning grounds of hatfield house. We then had some lunch in the coach house kitchen.
Overall we had a lovely day and will be back to do the tour of the house itself in the summer and some more half term days out.
If you haven't been you must go to explore the beautiful location and woods!
You will be able to see the bird feeders / bug hotel pics we made which we put in pur garden.
Overall we had a lovely day and will be back to do the tour of the house itself in the summer and some more half term days out.
If you haven't been you must go to explore the beautiful location and woods!
You will be able to see the bird feeders / bug hotel pics we made which we put in pur garden.
Written February 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SASBullet
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Family
The Christmas Revels event was a complete disaster for Hatfield House.
We paid around £100 for the family, including a £6 parking fee, for what turned out to be the viewing of the House’s kitchen, some statues and nothing else. We were done in 20 minutes and lost that Christmas spirit.
My wife complained to the Court Jester positioned at the exit, who was a lonesome figure and did his best to cheer us up with some jokes and games, but I felt he too was embarrassed by the whole charade.
As we returned to our car I saw the Jester in civvy clothing legging it out of Hatfield House.
Not sure who signed off this scam, but it was our first visit to the House and probably our last. Such a shame.
We paid around £100 for the family, including a £6 parking fee, for what turned out to be the viewing of the House’s kitchen, some statues and nothing else. We were done in 20 minutes and lost that Christmas spirit.
My wife complained to the Court Jester positioned at the exit, who was a lonesome figure and did his best to cheer us up with some jokes and games, but I felt he too was embarrassed by the whole charade.
As we returned to our car I saw the Jester in civvy clothing legging it out of Hatfield House.
Not sure who signed off this scam, but it was our first visit to the House and probably our last. Such a shame.
Written January 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew P
3 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
The stars are for the tour. Dermott was an engaging delight for all ages, bringing the past to life with little to go on (we only had access to the Palace and not the House). A natural storyteller with an infectious passion for history and the importance of personal research. My 9 and 12 year old were gripped and we have come away with a list of related locations to visit in order to keep their interest in history going.
The other reviews tell the slightly sad truth about the underwhelming Christmas tour, but Dermott transformed our rather soggy day with an Elizabethan tour-de-force!
The other reviews tell the slightly sad truth about the underwhelming Christmas tour, but Dermott transformed our rather soggy day with an Elizabethan tour-de-force!
Written December 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LoveTravel256828
Hillingdon, UK1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Family
VisitescChristmas Revels at Hatfield totally disappointing, no shops opened only a small top up shop, Elizabeth I looked nothing like the original even with the statues around only the visit with Dermott in The Old Palace so amazing as the host with his amazing knowledge at ease with him you should do more tours m, there should be more variety of gifts aimed at Hatfield House with magnets etc
Written December 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucy G
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Family
This worked well as a winter dayout, although it would have been good to see more of the House and grounds, as these are beautiful. The highlight was the tour of the Old Palace. The guide, Dermot, was very engaging and his talk captured the imaginations of our young children. I'm very pleased we went and we will definitely be back
Written December 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AtkinsS
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Friends
Lovely day out with friends. Staff were really friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. Dermot our guide gave a fantastic talk about the history of the house and monarchy. It was wonderful hear someone speak so passionately! Well worth a visit. There are lots of opportunities develop the site further particularly around Christmas time. Perhaps a light show, Christmas stalls etc to draw in more families. Will be visiting again when the house is open.
Written December 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liba27
London, UK2 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
I should have checked the reviews here as there is clearly a pattern. It was four of us going to see the extremely engaging (at least on paper) Christmas event of “Fantastical Christmas Revels”. However, the reality left me fuming. All you get to see is one room - an extremely well decorated kitchen. And as lovely as it was to see it, to pay for a visit to “any” House and see just one room is quite frankly rude and leaves a sour taste in your mouth.
I was expecting so much from this visit. I couldn’t wait to go and see it but what an absolute joke. I felt so embarrassed about out Hatfield trip I kept apologising to my family for this silly trip idea for the rest of the day.
Please avoid.
Having said that, there was one person redeeming this complete car crash. We have taken the non Christmas related tour of the house. In reality just two rooms however, the guide was outstanding. A lovely Irish chap called Dermot(?). So passionate and knowledgeable. I hope Hatfield House knows how lucky they are to have you there.
I was expecting so much from this visit. I couldn’t wait to go and see it but what an absolute joke. I felt so embarrassed about out Hatfield trip I kept apologising to my family for this silly trip idea for the rest of the day.
Please avoid.
Having said that, there was one person redeeming this complete car crash. We have taken the non Christmas related tour of the house. In reality just two rooms however, the guide was outstanding. A lovely Irish chap called Dermot(?). So passionate and knowledgeable. I hope Hatfield House knows how lucky they are to have you there.
Written December 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you have to pay to walk the grounds and park? From what I've seen on Google Maps there are multiple possible points of entry that are not supervised, nor are there any fences in place. A bit odd.
LBrand22
Merritt Island, FL139 contributions
Hi - there is one main entrance off the car park. You can walk around the buildings for free, but have to pay to enter the gardens and park areas. This is still a family home, with the family in residence at times. It’s well worth the visit. We loved the tour as well - the guide brought it all to life.
Safe travels!
Lamont G
Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom14 contributions
What time can I arrive at Simply Red concert, and what entrance?, I have V.I.P. tickets
N7603PScarols
London, England, United Kingdom5 contributions
map of the catchment
area for free pass
Caroline P
Grantham, UK8 contributions
We are planning on visiting may bank holiday Monday 6th May. Are the shops and restaurant open as well?
wombleok
Colchester, UK64 contributions
Sorry for the late reply erm yes they are open hope you had a great day
Hannah G
Bristol, UK4 contributions
Will the house be open Easter Saturday 2019? What are the facilities for the elderly, is the house easy to walk round/Not lots of steps/places to sit?
Hatfield H
Hatfield, UK
Hi Hannah, the house will be open on Easter Saturday as we re-open to the public on the 6th April (however will be closed on Good Friday).
We have a buggy service which can be used by our visitors at any point during their visit, to transport you to the various points of interest. Any member of staff can request this for you throughout the day. There is a Victorian lift within the house, which can be used by visitors who struggle to use the stairs. Just ask one of our members of staff and they will be able to assist. There is also a chair in each room of the house for visitors who are unable to stand for long periods of time. If you require further information please do not hesitate to contact us via our website.
talbar153
Tel Aviv, Israel2 contributions
Is it possible to arrive at this time of the year and take some pictures outside of the house? Even though it’s closed?
Hatfield H
Hatfield, UK
Unfortunately the House, Park and Gardens are all now closed to the public for the season and so this would not be possible. We will be opening back up on the 6th April for the 2019 season. We hope to see you next year! Thank you.
MFun_W8
London, UK119 contributions
Is this place dog friendly? We're at Knebworth House this weekend for Dog Fest, and always wanted to visit Hatfield House.
Hatfield H
Hatfield, UK
Thank you for your message.
Dogs are allowed in our park area, however not within the gardens.
We asked for dogs to remain on a lead when in the Stable Yard.
Jodie F
Sanford, FL61 contributions
I will be visiting Hatfield house in September. I heard that there is only one date that the old palace will be open during my stay, so I am planning my visit for that day. I see the house is open from 11-5, how much time should I allow to see both the house and the old palace? I am traveling solo.
FrintonDave
Frinton-On-Sea, UK25 contributions
The tour around the old palace needs to be booked on arrival and takes about an hour. You need a couple of hours for the house although it can be done in a lot less, depending on the detail you go into.
MaggieTurner
Hitchin, UK30 contributions
Are dogs allowed in the stable yard, cafe/restaurant if outside area and on leads?
Hatfield H
Hatfield, UK
Hi, yes dogs are most welcome as long as they are kept on a lead.
erika g
London, UK
Opening times of Hatfield House and it's cafe
Hatfield H
Hatfield, UK
Hello
The Coach House Restaurant is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm.
Hatfield House is open Wednesday-Sunday from 11am-5pm (last entry 4pm).
Please visit our website for further details.
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Claim your listingHATFIELD HOUSE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Hatfield House
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